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SaskPower inspecting 112,000 wood poles this year

May 07, 2018

SaskPower will be inspecting more than 112,000 wood power poles in select locations across the province as part of its annual wood pole inspection and maintenance program. The program helps SaskPower provide safe and reliable electricity to its customers.

“There are over 1.2 million wood power poles in Saskatchewan,” said Tim Eckel, SaskPower Vice-President of Asset Management, Planning, and Sustainability. “To help ensure safe and reliable power, we do annual wood pole inspections to look for damage and decay, and carry out maintenance to extend the life of the poles.”

SaskPower is investing an estimated $4.5 million this year, with a focus on:

Saskatoon area, including Martensville, Dalmeny and Warman (27,000 poles - May to July);

Weyburn and area (42,000 poles - May to August);

City of Saskatoon (7,000 poles - August to September);

Preeceville and area, including Sturgis and Norquay (18,000 poles - August to October); and

Meadow Lake and area (18,000 poles - August to October).

The inspection and maintenance program involves looking for damage such as signs of deterioration or carpenter ant infestation. Where they can, crews will repair the pole to extend its life and keep it in service. If a pole can’t be repaired, it will be identified for replacement.

Wood pole maintenance costs approximately $50 per pole on average, while replacement costs are about $2,500 per pole. Without maintenance, the life expectancy of a wood power pole may be as short as 25 to 35 years. Through SaskPower’s maintenance program, that life expectancy can extend to more than 60 years.

Crews will stay within the SaskPower right-of-way as much as possible; however, workers may occasionally need access to private property. Property owners will be notified and all workers will wear high-visibility clothing and carry contractor identification.

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